-Episode 9-
(Peace Time-Week 1 is Religious event, local religious leader changes in-Faithstone-Muriel will get “promoted” to Bishop of Faithstone)
-Great Harvest 2-
-Immersion-see something forgotten/discarded, and I want it-
Scene #13 (Positive Alteration):
I wake before my hungover friend, and quietly dress. Making my way down to the dining hall for breakfast, Erena confronts me, “Did you maidservant sleep in your room again? That is…rather unusual, don’t you agree?”
Verna adds, “Since you refer to her as your friend, and not merely a servant, I have asked your brother to assign her a private room. Unless she is your lover, that is,” she winks and Erena giggles raising an eyebrow.
I shake my head, blushing slightly, “No, we are not lovers. But she is my friend, and I appreciate you asking your husband on my behalf. As she practices no trade, a private room is a gift beyond what she can repay, but she does need private quarters. That is why she has been staying with me. There is something, unstable, about her magic, and I’d rather her not sleep in a room full of servants lest they become unnecessarily frightened of her.”
Q: Do they ask for details? YES
“What do you mean, unstable?” asks Erena, skeptically.
“Magical power builds within her over time, and if not unleashed deliberately, it starts to leak out, manifesting in unpredictable ways. Yesterday morning, her eyes shone like fire until it was nearly time for lunch, and her skin was hot to the touch. That sort of thing. Nothing dangerous, but unnerving to those unfamiliar with magic, so…thank you Verna! And for your concern as well, Erena!” I hug each of my sisters in law. “Now, I must.”
“Meow,” Princeling interjects, drawing the two ladies attention.
“Hmmm, does this cat belong to you? I don’t recognize it,” Verna asks, wrinkling her nose.
“Yes, or I to it. This is Princeling,” I smile, picking up the animal
Q: Does Princeling allow it? NO Q: Will he let Erena pick him up? NO
Princeling hisses and leaps away. Erena laughs, “I’m not sure he agrees that he’s your cat.” Then she reaches down to pick him up. He hisses at her and slips away again, “What an ungrateful little thing!” Erena protests.
Verna laughs, “Let the little mouser alone. As long as he keeps the rats at bay, there’s no need to pay him any mind. I’ll let Esdra know to bring up a couple of nasty, brutish dogs to keep the pigeons save though,” she glares at Princeling, “And you’d best stay out of my room as well!”
With that, my sisters leave me, and I continue on to the kitchen, fetching a bite to eat, and another bite to share with the ungrateful cat, before heading out into the courtyard.
Q: An old tower? NO
Outside, I take a deep breath of the morning air, and watch the grooms tending the animals in the stables and corral. Approaching them, I notice an old wooden bowl that has been kicked to the side of the stable and likely sitting there for months, half concealed by weeds. I pick it up, and seeing it is intact, smile down at Princeling, “A bowl for a bit of milk and wine? Or water, perhaps.” I laugh. “We’ll see what you deserve, your highness!” I mock bow to the cat.
Milliam speaks up, “You bow to that cat with as much reverence as you do your father. Don’t tell me you’ve accidentally turned our Lord into a cat,” he teases.
I laugh, “Far beyond any power I’ve ever witnesses, and even farther from my desires! How are my mules, I have come to inspect them. I have been remiss in getting to know these two beasts.”
Q: Well tended? YES
I inspect each mule, helping a stable boy brush them down and check their hooves while Milliam explains that they both seem healthy enough. One is much quicker than most mules, but reluctant to carry much weight. The other is more reliable, and can jump hurdles like a warhorse. I decide to name the first Rabbit, and the second Hare. After discussing the animals, I ask, “Have you had any luck finding me a groom?”
Q: Has Milliam found a groom? NO
“No, my lady, but it has only been a few days,” he replies, apologetically. I thank him for his fine work, and continue with my morning, trusting Eveline to wake when she is ready and report to Beth to work.
—
-Immersion-Feel something dense in the environment-
Scene #14:
I head over to the training grounds where Captain Sonder is reviewing some potential new recruits and beginning to put them through their paces. I am reluctant to disturb him, but I spot a soldier nearby. “Can you spar me with staves?” I ask the man.
Q: Will he? Unlikely-NO
“No, my lady. Forgive me,” he stammers and scurries away to whatever he was supposed to be doing before he stopped to watch the recruits.
I sigh, picking up a training staff. It is heavy in my hand, an unfamiliar weapon, but all weapons besides my dagger are. I take a few practice swings with it, mimicking some of the spear blocks and sweeps I’ve seen the men practice in the past.
Q: Does someone approach and offer to help? YES E: Positive for Mother Muriel: the Punishment of a Rumor (she gets free reign to investigate, and punish, heretics in Faithstone!)
“My lady,” a soldier about ten years my senior approaches, “Forgive the intrusion, but you’ll not learn to defend yourself that way.”
“Agreed, take up that staff and show me,” I nod towards another training weapon, and the soldier does so. “What’s your name?”
“Janner,” he replies, squaring off against me, “I’ll not be punished for striking you?”
“If you don’t test me, I won’t learn,” I reply as he lunges forward, nearly catching me off guard, but I step aside and slam his thigh hard with a counterstrike.
“Good hit!” he replies, swinging up towards me. I duck aside and tag him again, catching his arm this time. Then we settle in, jab, parry, swing, duck, pop! I hit him a third time, a glancing blow against his helmet. Several more swings, I weave counter, then inadvertently step into his strike. There is a flash of light as my ward flares, “What was that?” he leaps back in surprise.
Q: Does he discontinue? EXCEPTIONAL YES
I counter, but he swats the staff away and clearly wishes to continue no more.
“A protective spell. It will cause you no harm,” I assure the man.
Q: Is he afraid? YES
“I’d heard rumors…forgive me, my lady,” he stammers as he drops the quarterstaff and returns back to his duties.
I sigh, and put both weapons away. Then head into town.
-Encounter-Drunken Adventurer- (solo operator, generate)-
On my way towards the market, I hear someone call to me, a man with an unusually melodic voice, “Fancy woman dressed in blue, yes my dear, I speak to you!” I turn and see an elf staggering towards me, bottle in hand and fine, elvish looking shortblades hang from his belt. “Yes, dear little one. I speak to you!” he slurs his words, “living all the labor of men you call lesser! Giving nothing…nothing in return. Like ticks! Or fleas! Yes…fleas on a big, fat hog. That’s what your kind are!” he slurs his words.
In his own tongue, I reply, “You embarrass yourself. Don’t drink like a dwarf if you have the fortitude of a child!”
Q: Does my elven catch him off guard? EXCEPTIONAL NO
In his own tongue he then replies, “And the fat little fleas pretend to be noble, like my kind, but know nothing for you are all mere infants, where my kind see the turning of ages while yours fade to dust.”
-Insight 7, I don’t realize he’s but a stripling-
“Then return to your own kind if we offend you so, lest your years be cut short by your own drunken tongue,” I reply with a sigh.
Q: does he take this as a threat? NO (con save passes)
“I will not leave for I have good wine left. One thing…one thing your kind does well,” he holds up the bottle, “Is drink itself into a stupor, to blind yourselves from truth!”
Q: Does he resist? NO
I gently push the elf out of the road and back towards the Long Tusk Inn from whence he came, “Then to back inside and have three more, but don’t bother me or pass out through this door!” I warn him with a laugh.
Then I continue on my way towards the Black Razer, where I purchased Eveline’s dagger a few days ago. Entering the weaponsmith’s, I see that same tall, familiar smith as before. “Good afternoon, friend,” I nod upon entering.
He bows lightly, “Lady Yseldra, to what do I owe this visit?”
“I am looking for a fine blade as a gift, something nice for my father,” I suggest.
Q: does he have something in stock? YES
“Ah, for the Baron himself,” grins the smith. He guides me to the rear of his shop, where he opens a long chest, and lifts a black cloth that conceals a finely crafted longsword, with bronze and silver filigree, and two purple amethysts on either side of the hilt. “This is the weapon, my lady.”
“May I?” I ask and accept the blade. It feels clumsy in my hands, but not as clumsy as most. “It seems well balanced.”
He laughs, “I assure, this is a fine weapon, my lady, and not a merely decorative piece for some eastern dandy.”
I nod, “Alright, well, how much?”
“For you, my lady, a mere 250 crowns,” he suggests.
-Persuasion 9-(no discount, but he’ll drop to the actual price)
I nearly choke, “250 crowns? Surely, we can come to a more reasonable agreement than that my friend, after all, you are one of my father’s faithful tenants, and receive a great deal of business from his men, and especially from officers and vassals seeking a quality blade,” I smile persuasively.
“Ah, very well, my lady, 230 crowns in honor of your family’s faithful stewardship,” he counters, matching the true value of the blade.
-Persuasion 12-(90% of value for resale)
I consider his counter, examining the blade, and then ultimately, agreeing, “Alright, but not all in coin,” I pull out the ring I found in Gildall, and place it on the counter, “Twenty five?” I ask. He shakes his head and allows 22 for it. I pull two coin pouches from inside my satchel, “122 crowns, then,” and drawing ink and parchment, write and seal a note for another 108 crowns, “I’ll send a servant with this amount to retrieve my note tonight.” I select a scabbard for the blade, and take my purchase back to the keep with me.
-Encounter-Barbarian insulting a town official-
Along the way back home, I notice a Craglander cursing a tax collector, trying to collect a share of the man’s sales of fur in our market. I ignore the disputes and continue home. There I draw out coin for my debt and send it with Eveline and one of the scullions back to Black Razer to pay Blaknell, the weaponsmith, for my father’s new blade.
I briefly consider taking the weapon to Sonder to get his opinion on it, but at this point, I’ve already purchased it. If it is a poor quality blade that merely looks good, then I am a fool. And perhaps I am. But if it is a good blade, a worthy blade, then it will be a greater gift if it is solely mine and none suspect it. So I conceal the weapon within my wardrobe until the time comes.
I then retreat to the garden to study the Atlas of Thurm, as that seems to pertain the region of Farhold.
-DC 20 investigation to find a dungeon lead, rolled a 23!-Direction due south, distance, 1 hex!-Roll a mine, that makes no sense on grassland, roll stronghold, that’ll work!-
As I study the map, I find a notation that the town Farhold is built upon was called “Ferswel”. But I also find reference to an old tower five miles to the south called “Alornwak” and a notation that it contained a considerable arsenal and food stores beneath the signal tower. While there is no tower there today, and subterranean structures may yet remain!
Q: Does Eveline come join me? NO Q: Erena? YES
I continue reading while Princeling chases sparrows. “Ah, dear sister! I suspected you might be in the garden, reading, as usual. I saw that large collection of books you recovered and knew that you probably kept the best for yourself. What are you reading?” Erena teases as she sits down beside me.
“An Atlas of this region, from when the land was called Thurm,” I show her the map, “This is Farhold, I believe. It says the town was called Ferswel,” I point out the elven letters, translating as Erena does not know that tongue. “But what I find interesting is that there used to be a tower, here”, I point to Alornwak on he map,” and the atlas mentions it had a major armory beneath eat. I wonder if that remains.” I muse.
“Oh, so you will you and your friend go treasure hunting then?” Erena teases.
“Of course!” I laugh, “But not alone, of course. I’ll hire a couple of men to accompany us.”
“Like your half breed…Karta was her name?” Erena raises an eyebrow.
“Like the skilled warrior, Karta?” I correct her as she rolls her eyes, “She has formed her own company, so I’ll hire others.”
Q: Does she persist in the insults? NO
“Hmph,” Erena replies, “I hope you find quality men. Good help can be hard to find sometimes.”
-Persuasion 16- Topic-recent scene- Q: Does she offer to train me? NO
“Truly,” I agree. We sit alongside each other scouring the book, studying the maps, and reading ancient lore, notes of who founded what and when, notes on taxes and tributes, and other matters. It is quite fascinating, and Erena enjoys our time together. She also asks about my sparring match this morning, which she observed from the tower. I tell her I regret how it was cut short and she teases that the men are now afraid of me.
Q: Is dinner uneventful? NO Q: An entertainer? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: A crisis? NO Generate a who-Q: First Friend? EXCEPTIONAL NO, generate his issue
After the sun sets, we retreat inside to join the rest of the household for dinner, and surprisingly, we have a guest. One of my father’s vassals, Lord Aelric of Low Water. As is often the case with lone guests, he is seated beside me at dinner. The old man is my father’s age, elegantly dressed, with a gold falcon symbol of our goddess hanging around his neck, larger and more impressive than the small pendant I wear.
-Dinner topic-me!-
As dinner progresses, Aelric offers a toast, “To your lovely daughter, my lord!” My father, brothers and other kin all raise their cups, as I do, reluctantly, for I can already tell where this is going. “I am sure that many suitors have already approached, seeking her hand?”
Q: Does Faust entertain this? YES Q: Is it Shively’s desire? EXCEPTIONAL YES E: Remote Event: the Care of Food (good harvest, boost food stores) (generate Shively)
“But of course!” laughs my father, “And I suppose your son, Shively, is also interested in my daughter? Is it his desire, or yours, old friend?”
“His, of course, you know he has always been enamored of your daughter,” Aelric laughs jovially.
“Then he should make his own case, though I’ll not forget his torments of years past,” I reply sourly.
“Oh, my dear, childish mischief? One cannot hold that against a man who’s now earned his spurs,” Aelric replies.
“I’ll hold against him whatever I wish,” I reply.
Q: Does Verna mock me? NO Q: Does Faust defend me? YES
I notice Verna and Erena holding back laughter as I realize what I just said. “My daughter has a mind of her own and a strong will, she’ll not easily forget someone cutting her hair unbidden, or pushing her into a pond for a laugh, no matter how many years have passed. Your son should make amends should he hope to make amends,” my father suggests.
Q: Does he defend his son? NO
Aelric sighs, “Ah, yes. We reap what we sow. Which…reaping may be a little difficult this year. A manticore has taken a number of our sheep in recent weeks. I was wondering if, perhaps, you could send a company of men to deal with this nuisance. Perhaps even capturing their young, for one of our shepherds said he saw two smaller ones with the parents. What a prize that would be!” He suggests.
Faust nods towards Bertan, “Take a note of that.”
Q: Is this satisfactory? YES E: Setback to ‘Faust has sent for Muriel’s replacement’: the Bestowing of Joy (Aelric will be happy, but he isn’t being told today, so I’ll defer this for off camera. I place him as a penitent, in spite of his love of fine clothing)
Bertran shakes his head, “The Blooded Axe are heading east. They departed this morning. Quickblades are also already engaged. But I will inform them upon their return.”
“Thank you, my lord. Hopefully, they won’t eat too much in the meantime,” Aelric replies.
“You can always hire your own bounty hunters, or you have two sturdy sons and a number of men to hunt it down with,” Faust chides him.
Q: Is he chastened? YES
“Of course, my lord,” Aelric replies, admitting his duty.
The rest of the meal passes uneventfully, and I return to my quarters. It is surprisingly lonely with just Princeling and myself. I had grown accustomed to Eveline’s presence, though having the whole bed to myself is also nice.
-Great Harvest 3rd-
-warm day, light morning rain, good breeze-
-Smell alcohol- (likely, Eveline drank last night so still 0 in 8 chance of seepage)
Scene #15:
At breakfast, I am served by Vanessa instead of Eveline. Vanessa is hard working maid who never grows tired of a good story. “Where is Eveline?” I ask.
Q: Will she say? NO
“I know not, my lady, but Beth asked me to assume her duties this morning. It is raining, so would you prefer to dress for court instead of your travel wear?” Vanessa suggests.
“I suppose for court. How are preparations for the feast coming?” I ask casually as she helps with my corset.
Q: Does Princeling like her? NO
“Better meat than last week. Lots of fresh produce. The unused guest rooms are all in good order,” Vanessa shrugs. Princeling hisses and glares at Vanessa. Vanessa glares back. “I heard that you adopted a cat.”
“Or it adopted me, one of the two,” I shrug as we finish. “Thank you, Vanessa.” I od to the servant, she bows, and leaves.
I then head up to Eveline’s room and knock on the door.
Q: Does she answer? YES
“I said I’d be right out!” Eveline yowls as she opens the door, “Oh, my lady. I am so sorry.” she stammers, bleary eyed, and reeking of wine.
“I must not be your first guest this morning,” I reply crinkling my nose.
Eveline grabs her head, “No, but quieter than the last. Beth was very angry that I wasn’t already down in the kitchen to help.”
-Intimidation 17-
“You do have a job here. Please, see to it,” I reply, firmly.
Q: Does she apologize? NO
“Yes, my lady,” Eveline replies as she steps out into the hall. She stops for a moment and holds my gaze as though about to say something, then turns to head down the hall.
“Eveline? You are my friend. And I yours. As long as you live here, under my father’s roof, you must comport yourself as a servant, and see to your duties,” I admonish her gently.
Q: Does she resent this? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“Of course. I will not embarrass you again,” Eveline replies, “my friend.”
Q: Any interesting cases? NO
I head down to my father’s hall, where, as is common on Lord’s Day, he is hearing petitions from common folk and adjucating the handful of cases his vassals and magistrates cannot settle. It is rather boring for the most part, but an important function of the state. Bertran and my mother, Meriel, sit on either side and he occasionally consults them for advice from my mother, and background information from Bertran. I listen throughout the morning, and by midday, when I hear that the rain has stopped, I’ve had enough. I go up to my room, change clothes and then go outside to the courtyard once more.
Princeling follows. Not dutifully, but staying reasonably nearby, mostly just to glare at me and any passers by who do not meet his ridiculously high standards.
Q: Is Sonder available? NO Q: Will someone else spar with me? NO
Once more, I report to the training grounds, and again pick up a staff. I make several practice swings, rehearse my footwork, and try all of the drills that I can recall, but the soldiers give me a wide berth, even those I directly ask to help, each excusing themselves with one duty or another before scurrying away. Eventually, I give up, return the staff to the weapon’s rack, and climb up the southern parapet and stare at the horizon. I study the town below, then raise my eyes beyond the town’s fields and pasture trying to decide where I might place a watch tower less than two hours march from the town gate.
-Investigation 5 (nat 1)-
Eventually, I spot an ideal place, in my mind anyway, and nod to myself that I know where to look for Alornwak
Q: Anything interesting at dinner? NO
At dinner, Mical jokes about Aelric and Shively’s presumption that the sole daughter of a baron would marry the second son of a village lord. Mother chides him gently to be more considerate as it is normal for people to reach upward if they can, for nothing is ever gained if one does not strive for it.
-20 vs 20-
After dinner, Sonder and I meet in the study for a game of chess using the ornate game board my father keeps there. We play until long after most servants have retired for bed and a bottle of wine has been emptied between us, but neither can get the upper hand. Finally, we agree that we have been evenly matched tonight, and we each retire to our quarters.
-Great Harvest 4th
-warm, intermittent rain in the afternoon, harsh winds-
-Immersion-Memory from last year-
Q: Did Eveline drink last night? NO
(Eveline 1 in 8 chance of seepage), rolled a 1 Warmth radiates pleasantly.
Scene #16:
As I rise from bed and look out the window, I see my father’s newest horse. A magnificent grey the color of the clouds overhead. I remember him beaming with pride when Lord Cavanaugh, Warran’s father, gave it to him for his birthday.
There is a knock on the door, and I bid Eveline enter with my breakfast. As she helps me dress, I realize that a strange warmth radiates from her. Her skin is a bit flush as well. “What’s happened to you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“The power relents,” she admits. “I didn’t want to drink last night, lest I embarrass you.”
I nod and pick up my book, muttering an incantation, I see that her magical energy is waning somewhat. “Surely there is something other than drunkenness…or…” I sigh, I know her other two options.
Eveline nods, “I…what do you want me to do?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose as I consider the options. Then I resolve, “We will discuss this further tonight.”
“Yes, my lady,” Eveline nods as she finishes helping me dress.
“Come with me. We are going on a little excursion this morning while the tournament grounds are being prepared. The keep will be very busy and I’d rather not be caught in the middle of it,” I explain.
-Encounter-Bee swarm-
Passing through town, there are suddenly yells and shouts. Princeling dashes away to avoid the chaos as a swarm of bees, disturbed from a ball beneath a shopkeeper’s awning hurls itself into the crowd. Eveline and I pull up our cloaks and pass by without getting stung, then continue out of the city gates, passing through the main market where a circus is setting up for tonight.
-Immersion-Smell-Dust-
Scene #17: E: Positive for Yseldra Faust: the Domination of Tension (this comes up tonight)
Heading off towards the distant ridgeline, Eveline and I fall into easy conversation, “Where are we going?” she asks.
“Looking for an old ruin called Alornwak. It was a watchtower five miles south of the settlement where Farhold now stands. We’ve seen no signs of it, but there is supposed to be an underground complex beneath it,” I explain.
-Eveline is noted as being clever-Investigation 19-
“Then why are we going this way? If I were building a watchtower, I’d place it there!” Eveline points toward an entirely different ridge. “That little hill you are heading towards has good view of Farhold, but not beyond. My site can still see Farhold, but has better view of the lands beyond, a signal fire can be seen by more settlements, were the area settled.”
I stop, my jaw drops as I realize that I had overlooked such an obvious consideration, “You’re right. Let’s go to that ridge.”
-Encounter-Hamlet-
Along the way, we pass by a small cluster of free farmer houses, settled by people with independent land grants from the high chancellor in Kiddimir, sanctioned by my father, but unbound by tenant duties and regular muster, paying a tax, but expecting nothing but court access in disputes, the general protection of father’s patrols, and the right to flee to the nearest settlement in times of crisis. I head towards the hamlet and greet the people working the fields outside.
“Hail friends. I was wondering if you might help me find something,” I greet the freemen.
Q: Am I recognized? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“My lady,” bows one of the older men. The others immediately follow suit, “To what do we owe this honor?”
I laugh, and nod them to rise, “Please forgive the intrusion, but my companion and I are wondering if you have ever found any worked stone, or signs of an old building foundation nearby. Perhaps, on that ridge up there?” I indicate.
Q: Have they? YES Q: well? NO
“Yes, my lady,” the old man replies, “let me show you.” The old man and two of his sons, or hands perhaps, escort us up onto the ridge while the others continue the harvest work. “Here, and here. I was going to plant an orchard up here but there is stone a foot below the ground, everywhere I tried to dig.”
I grin excitedly, “Thank you, friends,” then I begin poking around with the staff I brought with me while Princeling chases field mice and Eveline walks around, picking flowers to weave into a crown.
Q: Do the farmers linger? YES
“Help me find an entrance,” I urge my two companions as I poke around.
“An entrance to what?” the old man asks, still nearby.
I look to him, “There may have once been an old watchtower here, three elven lifetimes ago, and there was a basement beneath. I am looking for an entrance to that basement.”
Q: Will they help? YES Q: Are they impressed? YES (Investigation 14 and 22)
The old man nods, “Melton, go fetch some shovels.” Then he and his other lad start looking around with me. I ask the other two’s names, Corbett being the older, and Welby the younger remaining. I introduce Eveline. Then when Melton returns, we begin digging a little ways in different areas. They seem a bit surprised that I take turns with the shovel.
Ultimately, we find what seems to be the outline of a circular stairwell, filled with looses tone about a foot below the topsoil. Unfortunately, it begins to rain before we can begin seriously trying to clear it. Eveline, Princeling and I retreat to their homestead with them. “It is no palace, I am afraid, but you are welcome to shelter with us until the rain passes by. My wife is a good cook, I assure you, though the fare may be simpler than you are accustomed to, my lady.”
Q: Is he a veteran? YES
“You are most gracious, friend,” I reply following Corbett inside his small home. It is a simple affair, and having never been inside a free farmer’s home before. Climbing up the stairs to the lodging above the stable, I am surprised at both how small it is inside, and how…cozy at the same time. My eyes are immediately drawn to the two battle axes and the worn, battered shield that hang on the wall beside the door, and the crossbow hanging beside it. Three spears and a quiver of bolts are in the corner of the room. There is a wooden table with six seats around it. I can see a large bed against the far wall, and two cots in the loft above. There is a large kettle over the hearth, and Corbett’s wife, younger than I expected and surprised to see Eveline and I, pours out two more bowls of pottage from it, then adding to them from the others to balance the meals and cutting the bread she had already sliced in half again to share it more evenly. A young boy watches from the loft.
“Eveline?” I prompt as I open the satchel of food I’d brought and pull out a couple of apples and a bottle of wine. Eveline pulls the apples and a bottle from her satchel as well, we add our bread and cheese to the table, keeping the dried foods for another day. Soon the seven of us are enjoying a meal together, the boy standing by the old man’s side.
-topic, knowledge-
“So, an old watchtower? What do you know about it? How did you learn something was there?” the old man asks.
“A book! That dates to the days when an empire called Thurm ruled our lands. I have been studying the maps within trying to figure out what may still exist, and what places might conceal…great treasures,” I shrug with a grin,”and discovered this site near home. Additionally, Farhold itself is built on the ruins of much older city, called Ferswell.
Q: Does he have a coin? NO
“I used to find old copper, silver and even a gold coin when I first started tilling the soil here. Not in a long time, mind you, but I wondered where they were from. They looked very different from Norgardian ones.
I nod, “Yes, that is likely where they were from. There was also an elven land, Elhana Sur, that was south and west of us. There used to be forest beyond the Lonefields, though now I hear it is hill country and mountains. I found some of their coins, and…this bracelet,” I show off the ancient copper bracelet I wear, “in an old ruin west of the Lonefields, in the Whispering Hills.”
Then, casting my eyes back to the man’s weapons, “You were a soldier? In Norgard, I suspect? Did you fight the Zar Vekhul?”
The old farmer nods, “Yes, and for my service, I was given a grant to settle…here of all places. So I married, hired a couple of men and with some others of my company, cleared some land here. The others have moved on, and others moved in, but I remain. I hope my son here, Brett, lives a long and prosperous life here,” he rubs the boy’s head. I smile.
We continue to chat. There was never much rain it turned out, just spattering for a time. Eventually, we tire of waiting and we all head back up to the hill. “I think…I think I’ll need to bring a digging crew. I don’t want to keep you from your labors anymore. You have been most a most gracious host, Corbett.” I nod to him, then to each of his men, Welby, who has been glaring at me resentfully, all day, and Melton, a scrawny man who has nonetheless been polite.
-evening, no encounter-
-Town-Evening, none-
Eveline and I are on our way home when Eveline suggests, “Perhaps we should stop at the White Mare for a drink?”
I shrug, “Perhaps so. I’d rather avoid dinner tonight. There will be a great deal going on tomorrow, perhaps a quiet evening away from nobles and courtiers before hand will be nice.”
Q: Is it crowded? EXCEPTIONAL NO
We greeting Alyss, the proprietor, and take seats in the nearly deserted tavern. “Where is everyone?”
Alyss shrugs, “I’m not sure. The eve of your father’s birthday, I expected to be full of nobles and squires, but none have arrived.”
I frown at this news, “There is a tournament tomorrow. And a circus, and a feast.” I shake my head as Eveline orders us drinks.
-Taproom event, birthday party- Q: Is it crowded? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Do I know him? EXCEPTIONAL NO
We share a plate of roast hen with carrots and potatoes, bread, cheese and mead, and while we idly chat about the day’s events, there is a commotion by the door as a man enters with a newborn cradled in his arms. Alyss grins in surprise, “Congratulations, Hayes! Boy or girl?”
“A girl,” the young man beams, “We’ll call her Saelova, and yes, Basilia is doing fine. The midwife is with her as is her mother, and that’s why I had to sneak out for a bit” Alyss and the handful of other patrons here all laugh and a small crowd of what must be Haye’s neighbors spill into the room with him. On calls for drinks for the new dad, for this must be his first child.
Eveline grins excitedly, as do I, to be truthful, for a newborn is a precious thing. The proud father makes the rounds, letting all of his fellow patrons, who all seem to know him, see his newborn.
Q: Does he recognize me? NO
Approaching Eveline and I, no flicker of recognition, he holds the child out, “Isn’t she a beauty?” he beams.
“Truly!” I agree, holding my hands out, “May I?”
Q: Will he allow it? NO
“Ha, ha!” he laughs reeling away. Eveline nudges me with a grin as we watch the excited man and finish our drinks.
As we leave, I take the silver horse pendant I recovered from Gildall from around my neck and offer it to the man, “A gift for your lovely daughter. May she have the power and grace of the finest mare.”
Q: Does he accept? YES
“Thank you! A most gracious gift, mistress,” he replies.
“That’s my lady to you,” chimes in Alyss. “That’s the baron’s daughter…” I hear he say as Eveline and I leave and return to the keep.
-Night, no encounter-
Returning home, I walk Eveline to her room, “I will help you. So you don’t have to drink. You don’t have scourge yourself. You don’t have to wake next to a stranger.”
Q: Does she cry? YES
Eveline puts her finger on my lips, “Not tonight. I am safe tonight. And tomorrow, I will drink. It will be a feast. None will think anything of it. But after that. If you are still willing. I will be grateful for your help, my friend.” Then she embraces me with tears in her eyes.
I return her hug, then return to my room and go to sleep.
-Heyday 5th-Baron Faust’s Birthday-
-Pleasant, cloudy, no ran, good steady wind-
-Immersion, sound of yelping-
I wake to the sound of squeaking mouse, pleading for its life…to no avail. Princeling drops his prey on my chest, then begins eating it in front of me. “Ugh! Could you do that somewhere else?” I ask. The cat stares up at me and seems to smirk. Then continues its breakfast as Eveline brings in mine.
“Shall I…remove that?” Eveline tentatively asks.
I shake my head, “No. He’ll just scratch you if you try,” I warn gently trying to sit up without provoking his lordship. I take my breakfast in bed, trying to ignore his.
“It looks to be a beautiful day outside,” Eveline observes cheerfully, “I was helping carry cups and bowls outside. I didn’t realize we had so many in the storeroom!”
“For events such as these,” I explain, “There are always guests who do not have their own, and you will find it faster to serve if you don’t have to wait for someone to pass you their bowl.”
“Ugh! I suppose that’s true. I was hoping to watch the tournament though,” Eveline replies.
“I will fetch you for Warran’s match. Or Varnath’s. Which do you prefer as you know them both?” I offer.
-random-Q: Does she want him to win? NO
She considers for a moment, then decides, “Warran. I want to see him knocked on his ass again.” I laugh with her and as soon as Princeling finishes his meal and leaps to the floor, I mutter a cleaning spell, then get up and allow Eveline to help me dress.
Q: Are the lords all there? EXCEPTIONAL YES -encounter-Sonder-
I pass by the great hall, which is crowded with my father’s vassals and council members. I smile at the site, hearing the jokes and laughter, then heading outside hoping to avoid getting pinned down by anyone in particular, but I blunder headlong into captain Sonder.
“Oh, thank the goddess it’s you!” I laugh.
He does as well, “Ah, avoiding the crowd of would be suitors? Are you sure that’s wise? Mical will likely have you traded off by nightfall if he has his way.”
“Are there any Baron’s sons present to trade me to? He won’t sell a mare for less than it’s worth,” I scoff.
Q: Are foreign barons present? NO
Sonders considers for a moment, then laughs, “In that case, I suppose you are safe. The tournament begins after breakfast, but I hear a circus is already performing in the town. They will convene here in the court tonight.”
“Thank you, my friend. I will have to go and see,” I reply, then Eveline and I continue on our way. I give her a brief hug as she joins the others in the kitchen, then I head out to the town.
-Encounter-Drunk peasant-
In the town, I am soon pressed in with the throng of people at the market square eager to see the acrobats and other performers. A large man who smells of fresh cut grass and stinks of beer bumps into me, “What where you’re going you little whore!” he shouts in my ear.
Q: Does he pursue? EXCEPTIONAL NO
I scowl in disgust, then slip away and find a better position from which to observe the show. Those who recognize my face make way, those who see only my attire give respectful space as well, for I am dressed as a lady of means. None cause me trouble.
Q: Is the show good? NO
The acrobats are…unimpressive. The musicians even worse. Soon, they are being heckled and jeered by the crowd, and I feel a mix of pity and…justice. For they really aren’t good. Bored, I toss a single crown in the hat being passed, for it is unbecoming to offer even less, though…they were bad. I shake my head and return to the keep, buying some sweets from a baker’s lad as I go.
-No Encounter-
At the keep, I soon join my father in his stand overlooking the tournament field. Our lords, their adult sons, our knights errant, almost everyone who can properly wield a lance is here. Bertran sits on my father’s left, my mother on his right. I beside my mother with Othna, whose husband is likely near Oldenfall by now. Mical is actually on the field. It shouldn’t be long before he joins us in the stands. He is not that good either.
I spot Warran’s fiancé, Parnella, and signal for her to join me, as Severon is absent and there is space for another alongside our family. She graciously complies, and when Warran comes by to seek her favor, we each tie our sash to his lance to wish him well. “I had promised before the two of you became engaged. I’ve not choice but to carry though, though he is all yours.” I explain.
Q: Does she accept this? YES
“Of course! You always keep your word. That’s something I love about you. You couldn’t handle him anyway,” she winks. Then we both giggle together as Othna and Meriel each raise eyebrows at us.
Soon, Parnela and I are leaned up against each other, whispering about the other competitors as she shares what she knows first hand, or has learned from others. I tell her she is incorrigible, and she agrees.
Q: Does Warran win? EXCEPTIONAL NO (so randomly determine winner) Q: Does Varnath do well? YES Q: Does Mical? NO
Realizing the Lord Warran, the favored contender, will fight in the first match, I quickly send a page to fetch Eveline. I see her at the rail watching the match, as brief as it is. Shockingly,Lord Warran is eliminated in the first pass of the first match, shocking betters and causing Parnela to gasp in shock!
The tournament continues, each warrior striving to prove his worth. Mical soon falls, but at least he competed. Varnath passes through three rounds much to his sister’s delight and mine, but it is Lord Denys of Curdham who comes out on top, much to his wife’s pleasure and the cheers of his children. His father and brother are also glad to congratulate him, though that must be hard to do as he unhorsed his younger brother in the final match. I notice my father nodding approvingly that Denys did so well, a solid heir for his father’s hold.
Q: Have they improved? NO
After the tournament, we retire to the great hall for the great feast. The acrobats from this morning are performing, but the lords of this land prove even more unforgiving an audience than the townfolk. There are soon shouts and jeers, and the acrobats retreat in shame. The musicians as well, are quickly replaced, but Mical and a few other lords fetch instruments from their rooms or tents, and a better performance ensues.
Then there are the gifts! My lord’s men each offer some tribute. Weapons, wine, another horse, a fine bird, a diadem. I signal for Eveline and tell her to retrieve the blade from my wardrobe, and bring it down still wrapped in the black cloak I used to conceal it. A short time later, she returns with the weapon. I wait until the other gifts have been offered before I rise to offer mine.
-Persuasion 14-
Approaching my father, I bow low, “For the founder of our house, the tamer of this land, and lord of all present, and the source of their good fortune. May this blade serve you well as you defend us all.” I let the cloak fall away and fall to my knees holding the blade up for my father to take.
My father takes the blade and draws it from its simple scabbard. Takes a few practice swings, then admires the design
Q: Is it more impressive than other gifts? YES Q: Does he like it more? YES
Slowly, a smile spreads across his face, “An outstanding blade, my child,” he grins, his eyes gleaming.
He looks around the room, “You! Come here,” he calls over Lord Ardalle’s younger son, a boy a year behind me in age and who found my little parlor tricks unnerving and often teased me to stop when I would show him and others of our age what my aunt had taught me.
Braun steps forward. Faust glances at the boy’s father, a man of long standing noble blood whose family lands were taken by Zor Vekhul. “Kneel boy,” my father commands.
The boy obey, and my father places the blade I just gave him on the lad’s left shoulder, then right, “Rise Sir Braun of Whitewheel. From this day forth, unless your family has need, you shall serve as a knight of my household guard.” Faust smiles as the assembled lords applaud. The boy’s father and older brother nod approvingly. His younger sister beams in excitement at her sibling’s good fortune.
My father admires the blade once more, before sheathing it and having his other blade sent to his quarters as he dons mine.
Q: Does he taunt me? YES E: Setback to ‘Abysal ruins beneath farhold’: the Overindulgence of an Ambush
“Well played, sister,” Mical whispers in my ear. I hadn’t noticed he had stopped playing with the others and come up behind me. “Fortunate some foreign lord hadn’t arrived with a greater gift, father might have married you off to show is appreciation.” he teases.
I sigh and roll my eyes, “You give father too little credit.”
Just then, a soldier enters the hall and whispers something to Captain Sonder. Sonder signals a few of my father’s personal guards to meet him outside and armored, then whispers something to my father. Father nods, and Sonders leaves. I follow. “What is happening?”
Q: Will he tell me? EXCEPTIONAL NO
He looks me up and down, then shakes his head, “Best if you stay here. This is beyond your skill.”
I follow him to the door of the keep where five of my father’s knights and a squadron of soldiers now wait for Sonder, and Krenal! They leave at once. I follow.
-Stealth 8-
At the gate, the sergeant stops me, “Sonder said you were following, and to keep you here. Please, return to your father’s hall.”
Reluctantly, I retreat back to the hall where the celebration continues
Q: Did people notice? YES E: Positive for Orcs: the Exposing of Failure (they realize Westhold is weak, and will conduct a fast raid, ravaging Axdull, but not lingering to invade) Q: Am I asked? EXCEPTIONAL YES E: Positive for Yseldra Faust: the Disruption of Elements
There is a great bit of whispering and speculation among the guests about while several of their host’s men had to suddenly leave. Many people ask me what I know, since I was seen leaving with the others.
“Tell me, where are they going?” Lord Ketel urges. He is one of our newer vassals, only a few years older than me. Unmarried, sophisticated having grown up in a Norgardan court. It is hard to escape his question as he takes my hand and pulls me aside to dance, for father has signaled the musicians to strike up such music as a diversion.
“I know not, my lord,” I reply with a smile. “But whatever the trouble may be, it is well in hand.”
Q: Is he untoward? NO
The man pulls me close to him, closer than I might have preferred, and whispers in my ear, “Are the rumors about you true?”
I push away a bit, and he gracefully relents, “And what rumors might those be.”
I nods that I should draw close again, so I allow it. He then whispers in my ear once more, “That you are a court witch. Is that true?” he puts distance between us again to allow me to answer.
I nod. He nods in reply, “My lady, would you be so kind as to show me your father’s garden?” he asks with a formal bow.
I eye him warily, then agree.
-Immersion, smell of soil-
Scene #19: E: Progress on ‘Milliam is looking for a groom’: the Informing of Misfortune
Lord Ketel and I walk into the garden, the smell of the flowers, the plants and even fresh tilled soil lingers in the air. Princeling follows at a distance, curious. A guard keeps watch on us as well. Suddenly, the young lord turns towards me, “Forgive my…eagerness inside. I know that you are far above my station, and I am grateful that you have chosen to indulge my curiosity. I am, as you know, new in this land, and in your father’s court. But I am grateful to your house, for this chance to prove my worth. And, as a token of my appreciation, I wish to give you this. It is…something my grandmother possessed, and always sat neglected in our hall. So when I left home, I took it with me. Perhaps, well, she was a court witch. So, perhaps this could be of use to you. A token of gratitude, to your house, my lady.” The man nods, seemingly sincere.
I am surprised and confused by Ketel’s words, but he draws from his sleeve a slender mahogany wand. Along its length are carved symbols of earth, fire, water and air. “Is this…magic?”
“I thought you might know. I know it belonged to her,” he explains. “And she knew elven magic.”
“Thank you. I am honored and grateful,” I smile, then take his arm, and show him around the garden, more relaxed now that I realize why he pulled me aside, and that it is clear he will not press a case for my hand.
-Conversation topic-treasure-
After asking him a great deal about growing up in Norgard, he turns the tables on me and asks about the blade I gave my father. I confess that I personally know little about blades, but I took the smith’s advice, and easily recognized the value of the gems and the artistry of the ornamentation. He nods in admiration.
-Arcana 24-
After a time, we return to the keep, and I retire to my room. Once there, I open my book and incant a divination spell…discovering that this wand is no mere focus, but it contains a powerful spell within it. An abjuration of some sort. I smile in excitement, “Pergere” I say, and the wand flares, I hold fire in my hand and the wand…snuffs it out. “Amazing!”
I am nearly too excited to sleep, but I lay down and try anyway.
Q: Is it contained? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Did the Balgura vanish into town? NO
Something slipped through the gate inside the buried temple. Sonder and Mother Muriel investigate, but cannot determine where it went, only that they killed one feasting on the dead, and two more fled south before they arrived, into farmland, in the night.
-Great Harvest 6th-
-Hot, clear skies, light wind-
-immersion See something broken and I want it-
-No seepage, Eveline got drunk last night-
Scene #15 (Positive Alteration):
I am awakened by urgent knocking at my door. Captain Sonder, it is Krenal whose voice follows “Yseldra, dress quickly, you and your servant are needed. Time to put your skills to the test”
“What do you mean?” I ask, quickly racing to the door in my nightgown to see what he is on about.
He blinks at my state of partial dress, but thrusts into my hands a bone scroll case, “I hope you know a good fighting spell, there are demons on the loose, and we must hunt them down. I have, reluctantly, advised your father that you and your servant should join one of the search parties. They are assembling in the courtyard now, dress quickly!”
I take the scroll, and place it in my satchel before I quickly don my travel clothes. Returning to the hall, Krenal is nowhere to be seen, but Eveline is walking towards me, clutching her head, “Oh, what a day to get out of bed early. What is this about?” she asks in confusion.
“I am not entirely sure, let’s go,” I urge and I race downstairs. Eveline follows much more slowly, but Princeling eagerly races ahead, seemingly excited that something is afoot.
Q: Are people eager? NO
In the courtyard, I see my father talking to captain Sonder. Six of his bodyguards are present, along with thirty men at arms, a couple of huntsmen, hounds and two temple acolytes. Krenal is there as well. On seeing me, my father frowns, “Yseldra, you and…Eveline…will accompany Sir Rolf’s team.” Looking at the assembled host, he says, “There are, at least two…demons…loose in our land. Sonder killed a third last night. They came through a portal in an old temple buried beneath the cemetery and slaughtered the men guarding it. I want these fiends hunted down and destroyed. Understood!” There is a general nervousness as men nod their understanding of the mission.
Q: Does father single me out? NO
Eveline and I fall in with Sir Rolf’s troupe. Father gives me one last look, then turns his attention to Sonder and Mother Muriel. Sonder then leads our entire body out of the keep towards the cemetery.
It is hot, even though the sun is just now peeking over the horizon. Sonder signals our company to stop outside of the cemetery gates, “Huntsmen, set your dogs to find a scent. Krenal, Yseldra, come with Muriel and me.” The four of us then proceed towards the crypt wherein was found this ancient temple.
Just outside, ten soldiers stand watch, nervously. “You didn’t move from your posts? Any tracks must be left undisturbed,” Sonder reminds the men as the hounds sniff the area. Inside, there is absolute carnage. There are scattered human remains, broken bones and torn mail that failed to protect the men that had been stationed here since the temple was discovered. Then there is the beast! A great, muscular creature twice the size of a man, leathery hide, thick claws, large fangs, long arms and powerful legs. It smells of sulfur and soot. One of its fangs has broken off. I pick it up.
Q: Does anyone try to stop me? NO
I place the broken fang in my pouch. Sonder says, “The man who fled said there were three of them that came through. He says the sergeant sent him and another for help. We found part of the other man outside.” He looks to Mother Muriel, “If we fill this temple with stone, will that prevent more from coming through?”
Q: Had she advised burying it all before? NO
She glares at Krenal, “Yes, that is the prudent thing to do. There was nothing to be gained from studying a portal to the Abyss. And now men have died for…idle curiosity.”
Q: Does Krenal object? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Krenal agrees, “I thought there was knowledge to be gained, but not at this cost. We seal it. There is no there is no other solution.”
-Arcana 18-
Sonder nods, and we head back outside, Krenal pulling me away as I start to look at the portal, curious about the symbols around it. Trying to read them makes my head swim.
-Survival base DC 15, -5 because these things have a distinctively unnatural scent, the four dogs and the cat each have advantage on their rolls- (generate direction, generate Fellbridge)
Outside, the two huntsmen have each picked up a separate scent trail. Rolf’s company follows one trail and I fall in with them. The other squad pursues the second trail, while Sonder, Muriel and the third squad plus two of my father’s bodyguard remain behind at the temple. Our hounds lead us southwest along the road towards Fellbridge
Q: Is it moving quickly? NO Q: Has it ravaged a farmstead? EXCEPTIONAL NO (second tracking roll, cat gets a nat 20!)
-Morning encounter-friendly mule? Oop! Bad luck today-
We follow the trail throughout much of the morning, bypassing the occasional farm, and skirting Fellbridge itself, as we cross over the road south from Fellbridge to Buttermere, we find the half eaten corpse a mule, that had been laden with trade goods, lying in the road. The headless remains of its owner lay nearby.
-Medicine 24- Q: Does anyone know him? NO
Kneeling down beside the bodies “Less than an hour ago” I inform Sir Rolf.
“Poor bastard” Sir Constantin notes, pulling a bottle from his pack and taking a pull from it. He passes it to a nearby man at arms who looks a little green around the gills.
“Stow that!” warns Sir Rolf.
Sergeant Wulfgar looks off in the distance, “It’s heading towards the forest, right?” The dog handler, Algarn, nods, as his dogs strain to go ever onward.
“That was… one bite, wasn’t it? Took his head clean off in a single bite! What are we hunting?” one of the soldiers looks to his sergeant.
“Something whose head will be our wall by nightfall,” Wulfgar replies.
“Let’s go!” Rolf commands, and we all do so.
-Afternoon Encounter-none-
Q: Do we catch up in the woods? NO Q: Did it change course? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Back at us? NO random direction, tracking succeeds again-
“Hold up!” Algarn warns, “North!” he say as we reach the treeline. The hounds then start leading out around the edge of the forest, and soon, we hear screaming as the village of Hidewell comes into view
Q: Has it attacked? YES Q: Is it attempting to enter the village? NO (2d4=4 dead villagers in the field)
We see the demon running after a farmer. Several others flee through the wheat fields. Two of the village guards are running out to meet it while the shrine bell rings, summoning the rest of the garrison.
“Get it!” Rolf commands, no doubt wishing he was riding right now instead of on foot, keeping pace with the rest of the company. The thing makes a tremendous leap, landing on top of the fleeing man and ripping his arms from his body. Then leaping back towards one of the guards as our company charges, bolts sliding into crossbows for when we get within range. It sinks its jaws in the guard’s arm, but dropping his crossbow, he stabs it with is dagger, while the other town guard shoots it with a crossbow.
-Summon-succeeds-
Then a second demon appears behind the second town guard and immediately sinks its teeth into the man, and snaps his arm back at an unnatural angle. The houndsman and the acolyte slow down while the rest of us continue running towards the fight. The guard with the dagger fights for his life, crossbow bolts whiz past the foe, nearly useless at this range. One of the creatures, ducks low and begins running towards us, I can tell from the way the wheat bends in its wake but it is hard to see.
There is a strangled cry as the beast sinks its teeth into the dagger wielding guard, then tosses his limp body aside and leaps towards us, vanishing into the wheat field as well. Rolf, Wulfgar, Contantine and the spearmen continue racing forward, Eveline and I follow hot on their heels as they attempt to assemble a line as they draw closer. The crossbowmen lagging behind, pausing to shoot as quickly as the can reload their bows on the move. I hear one of the demons yell as a bolt finds its mark.
Suddenly, Sir Rolf falls to the ground screaming, writhing on the ground, “The fire! The fire! Put it out!”
Wulfgar then slows his charge, “Form up!” he yells. Then, “Get them off me! Get them off!” as he starts scratching at his arms.
-Arcana 22-
“Illusions! They are playing with your minds!” I warn, attempting to grab Sir Rolf and help him break free of it. Suddenly, one of the demons leaps over our melee line landing right behind Wulfgar and one of his men. Though they spin to face it, it slips between their spears landing less than twenty feet from me! A blow from its fist crushes the soldier’s shield arm, but he miraculously remains standing! I am grateful when a soldier interposes himself between the fiend and I, though I am unsure what good it will do.
Eveline runs past, stretching out her hand as a beam of light strikes the creature. It howls in agony and one of our men rushes it, driving a spear into its thigh. The line then turns to face the fiend behind them, but it is a quick foe, dodging blows left and right. Suddenly Rolf looks up at me, realizing he isn’t on fire, grabbing his sword to join the battle.
Just then, the other fiend jumps against the two men on Wulfgars left. Its jaws sink into the shoulder of the wounded man, and its backhand send the other flying. Constantin rushes to avenge them, his blade biting deep into the demon as I rise to me feet and hurl a bolt of flame at the one behind our line, then moving behind Rolf for, hopeful, safety.
(cast invisibility, and leaps…perception 20 to hear are and spot where the wheat is disturbed
Suddenly, the creature disappears from sight, but Princeling and I hear where it lands some distance away.
The men focus on the one still in combat, and Eveline hurls a second bolt of light, but misses her mark. Wulfgar and his men surround it, spears driving hard against the howling foe.
“Over there!” I point for Sir Rolf, there! The knight moves quickly forward, ready to face the foe. Then the one that had been surrounded leaps away, over my head, landing between two nearby crossbowmen, scratching one of them. The man yells in surprise as he drops his bow and draws steel.
“Don’t let it escape!” cries Wulfgar as he and his men surge past me to pin it back down again. I race past toward where the other fiend landed, and stretching out my hands bathe the entire area in a sheet of flame. The fiend howls, and it body, visible once more, smolders on the ground amidst the ripened wheat.
I turn around to see the other beast fall with a crossbow bolt in the back of its head.
-death saves, one survived, one is dead, same with local garrison
I race over to our fallen men, the first is plainly dead, so I immediately begin working to staunch the bleeding of man who’s arm was shattered and shoulder bitten. “Hang on, friend,” I whisper, as I clean the bite to his shoulder, applying a compress and trying to brace his shattered arm.
Six armed and armored men emerge from the village, looks of shock and horror on their faces, several peasants with spears follow. “What the hells happened?” One of the men gasps. Sir Rolf goes over to talk to them, while the village priest comes out to tend one of the fallen village guards while Brother Edmond, who remained in the rear during the fight kneels down at my side.
“May the light of Freia mend flesh and bone,” Edmond intones and I see the wounds begin to close, at least partially, as happened when Anlyn used his elven song magic on me.
“Thank you,” I nod to the priest, “This will help.”
Q: Is he impressed? NO
The priest lifts his eyes to meet mine, then returns to his task before rising to join the village priest in tending Hidewell’s fallen.
Wulfgar approaches, “Can he walk?”
I shake my head, “Not at our pace. Best to let him rest here in the village, or borrow a cart.”
Wulfgar sends a man to fetch a cart, while Constantin hacks the demon’s heads off and puts them each in a sack to haul back as proof we brought them down. Brother Edmond, Eveline and I also tend the less serious injuries of the other men wounded in the fighting.
As we finish Eveline is grinning excitedly, “I…I feel steady. The energy in me, it’s spent already. That’s…that’s the key. Let it out in battle. That will release it.”
I smile, “Good to know. Let’s file that away as a useful contingency. I’d rather we not fight demons every day.” Eveline nods in agreement.
Rolf approaches, “The village lord is likely on the road back home. We could pass him on our return to Farhold.”
I shake my head, “We should stay here tonight. It is late. The men should rest.”
Our squad then enters the village and I head up towards the manor house while Sir Rolf works out lodging for our men as we packed for quick pursuit, not for an overnight trek.
Q: Does the chamberlain let me in? YES Q: Is Alfsige home? NO
At the manor house, I knock on the door and a fearful looking chamberlain opens. “I am Lady Yseldra Faust. With me are Sir Rolf and Sir Constantin of my father’s personal bodyguard. The three of us require lodging for the night, and our men require food. Please see to it. I take it Lord Alfsige has not yet returned from Farhold?”
Q: Will the chamberlain see to all of our needs? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“Lord Alfsige has not yet returned, but I do not know you, nor the…swordsmen you have with you. Good day!” the chamberlain slams the door in my face.
I stand there, in shock. Eveline looks at me, “He’s not supposed to do that, is he?”
I shake my head, “No. He isn’t.”
-Intimidate 23-
Rolf soon walks up, glances at me in confusion, then bangs on the door. “Open up! Your Liege’s men require food and lodging!”
The chamberlain reluctantly, fearfully opens the door and seeing the knight’s coat of arms, “Please forgive me, my lord. I did not realize one of your rank was here.” Rolf glances at me in confusion, then he and Constantin enter. Eveline and I follow and I remind the chamberlain food is needed for our entire company and a bath must be readied for men to clean themselves.
I then order our most seriously wounded man brought in and laid in one of the empty guest rooms for the night.
Q: Does Alfsige return tonight? YES Q: Does he immediately notice me? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Is he welcoming? EXCEPTIONAL YES
We are in the dining hall, our entire company, when Lord Alfsige returns with his escort. Spotting Rolf and Constantin, he “What is this? I heard great beasts attacked the village while I was away. I am grateful you were here!”
“I am grateful it didn’t happen upon you on the road, my lord,” Rolf replies standing to greet my father’s landed vassal. Constantin does the same as the man scans the room. Each of our soldiers rise up and bow as is proper, Eveline does the same.
“And we are grateful for your hospitality this evening,” I nod towards the man, remaining in the seat to right of his empty chair at the head of the table.
Q: Does Alfsige recognize me? YES
“My lady,” he bows, “It is an honor to host you and your company.” He allows his attendant to help remove his armor then joins us at table. “So tell me, lady Yseldra, what happened?”
I nod, “Last night, three demons emerged from an ancient portal beneath Farhold’s cemetary. A portal now being sealed off, forever. They killed a squad of soldiers. One was slain in the temple, two more escaped. We followed one’s tracks…here. And killed it in the fields.”
“I am told there were two. And they killed four of my tenants and one of my men,” Alfsige presses.
I nod, “Yes. A second one simply…appeared…during the fight. I know not whence it came, or if it was the second one that fled the temple. Either way, the deed is done. The demons slain, and men must be mourned.”
Q: Does he ask compensation? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Alfsige nods agreement, “An unfortunate tragedy. I trust my chamberlain has shown you the guest rooms?”
I nod, “He has, indeed. I have a wounded man in one of the guest rooms. Might the rest of our men sleep here in the hall?”
Q: Will he allow it? NO
“I am most sorry, my lady, but there presence would interfere with my servant’s works. They may stay in the barracks with my men,” Alfsige offers.
Q: Does he object to Eveline? NO
I nod, “That is acceptable.” I notice his eyes fall on Eveline who sits beside me, “She is my handmaid. She will stay in my room so as not to displace any of your servants.” He nods.
He spends the rest of the evening talking with Rolf and Constantin as they share stories of our hunt and the battle. He then asks about their lineage. They are both younger sons of landed men. Tired, I soon retire to my guest room, Eveline along with me.
“So, you are settled tonight?” I ask, opening up my book to check her aura.
“Yes, my lady. I do not need your…help…tonight, after all,” she smiles coyly.
I nod, “Good to know.” Her aura is at the lowest I’ve seen.
–Heyday 7th–
-Pleasant, clear skies, gentle breeze-
-Immersion, sound of scratching-
-Seepage chance, 0, cast a leveled spell in combat the day before-
Scene #16:
I wake to the sound of Princeling scratching at the door of our room. I sit up and smile at at Eveline, still laying in bed next to me, peaceful looking in her slumber. I climb out of bed and let the cat loose in the house, “Stay out of trouble, my prince,” I warn. Then I dress, and wake Eveline to do the same. Soon we are in the hall enjoying breakfast with our host.
Q: Does he ask anything of us? NO
“Thank you once more for your hospitality,” I nod to our host, but we must return home post haste. He bows and bids us farewell as we depart.
—
We return home using the borrowed wagon to transport our wounded man. As we leave, the village priest is heading towards the local graveyard alongside a few men with shovels. A woman cries on her porch, undoubtedly widowed the day before.
-Morning Encounter-Local patrol-
Along the road, we encounter five men from Fellbridge, “Hail there! Have you seen anything strange?” the sergeant calls to us, “A man was murdered on the south road yesterday, head bitten clean off!”
Q: Are they shocked? YES
“Avenged,” announces Sir Rolf, stepping back towards the wagon to hold up a sack containing a demon’s head. He pulls it out for the other soldiers to see. The men gasp in shock, and one of them mutters a prayer. “We didn’t have time to bring the dead man to your village, we wanted to catch this fiend before it killed anyone else. We nearly did, but the threat is now ended.” Rolf says dourly. The patrol sergeant nods, and we continue on our way. They fall in behind us as we pass through Fellbridge.
Q: Is Senglysche home? YES Q: Does he take the news well? NO
At Fellbridge, I stop to inform Lord Senglysche of the incident.
“How could your father not have warned us of this danger? I was on the road with my wife and children, returning from his birthday celebration with only two men at my side!” he demands.
-Persuasion 16-
“Did you not return alongside Alfsige and his two men? Are you not a skilled warrior, and your son nearly a knight?” I respond.
Senglysche sighs, “You may be right, but…I worry. Your father should have warned us.”
-Intimidate 14-
I nod. “I shall pass his vassal’s concerns over his baron’s prudence on to our liege,” I reply coldly. “Please tell Magisend I stopped by, in my father’s service. Hunting demons to keep her father’s holding safe.”
Q: Is he cowed? NO
“Hmmph,” he snorts. “Deliver my message.”
I nod, then contine on our way. Sir Rolf asks, “Are they not feeding us?”
I shrug my shoulders, “I’ll not sup with him today.” Then I nod towards the tavern in the center of the village, “But we can stop there to rest or boots if you wish.”
-generate two of the men-Barldrek Persuasion 24-Swith, persuasion 4-
I follow our men inside, and collect a bowl and tankard that I take back out to our wounded man. One of his fellows had the same thought, so we sit together, the two soldiers, Eveline and I sharing modest bowls of pottage with bread. The wounded man, Barldrek, is a charming fellow and soon he has Eveline blushing and hanging on his every word, “Your hair is like the glory of the sun at dawn,” or some such nonsense that she absolutel devours. Swith tries to compare my hair to…I think he lost his focus when he said the red of a robin’s breast. He was staring at Eveline’s chest, as her bodice is cut lower than my travel attire.
I laugh, “I think it is best we get back on the road, friends.” I climb back down off the wagon. Eveline does the same but gives Baldrek’s calf a quick squeeze as she winks at him. He grins and tips the tankard towards her befor I take it and his bowl back inside.
Then we are back on the road.
-Afternoon encounter-none-
-Town encounter-Tyria- Q: Was the other team successful? NO Q: Did they fight it? NO Q: Did they lose the trail? NO (so it must have left our region Q: Did it kill along the way? NO
Before dusk, we are passing through the gate to Farhold. People look on, curiously, at the sight of a wounded man, and a corpse in the wagon beside him. We pass through without comment until we encounter Tyria, the purple eyed novice from the temple. “Brother Edmond! What took so long for you to return? The other company returned last night!”
“We went nearly to the Lonfields, and…she wanted to rest the night before we return,” he casts a contemptuous glance my way. Tyria scowls towards me.
Q: Will she say? NO
“You said the other company has already returned. Did they find their quarry?” She snorts in reply and she and Edmond head towards the temple.
“Pleasant woman,” Sir Rolf notes.
“She doesn’t like me. None of them do,” I sigh.
“Understandable,” Rolf nods.
But Sergeant Wulfgar interrupts, “Court witch? Yeah, these purifiers are sticklers for their rules. They don’t understand, we do what works. And a court witch on our side can turn the tide. And without you, we might have lost that one that vanished from sight! Don’t know that we can track something we cannot see at all!”
I smile, “Thank you, sergeant,” then we follow the clerics to the temple, leaving Baldrek at their infirmary, then the rest of us head up to the keep.
-Immersion-feeling, extreme heat or cold- E: Setback to ‘Hunt down some demons’: an Abuse of Love
We enter my father’s hall, Rolf, Constantine, Wulfgar and the rest of the men along with Eveline and myself. There is a roaring fire in the hearth, the heat of which permeates the chambers. Father looks up at as we enter, my father leaps to his feet rushes forward, and tries to slap me across the face!
My ward flares and I feel no pain as his hand slides away. My eyes go wide from shock! My mother gasps and leaps to her feet. Bertran, Mical and my sisters in law are similarly shocked. “What was that, father!” I demand, enraged.
Q: Does he regret it? YES
Then he begins to sob, wrapping me in his arms, “I thought you were dead. When you did not come back, I feared I lost you.”
-Intimidation 19-
I let him hold me for a moment, then push him back, my cold eyes meeting his tearful ones “Do not raise a hand to me again, father.”
“I am sorry. I…I don’t know what came over me,” he shakes his head. “The one fiend, it escaped. It fled into the wilds beyond Lost Shoe. A rider returned at once. But your company, we heard nothing”
“We killed our quarry,” I reply. Sir Rolf then unveils the two severed heads.
“You…got both of them? How?” my father stammers.
“We pursued only one. The second just…appeared,” I explain.
-Krenal Arcana 23-
“Some demons have the ability to summon more of their kind. That is what likely happened here,” Krenal explains. “What else?”
-Persuasion 23-
I allow Sir Rolf to describe the battle, and detail our company’s losses and those of Hidewell. To that, I add, “Lord Senglysche believes you should have informed him, or perhaps the entire court, of the threat of the demons.”
Q: Does he offer a bounty? YES
My father nods, “Perhaps he is right.” Then turning to Bertran, “These men…they have done us a great service, and faced a foe no mortal man should, see to it they are rewarded justly.” Then he shakes his head, “I must retire to my quarters.” He looks at me once more, “I am sorry, Yseldra. I thought I lost you.”
As he departs, I look to my mother and siblings in confusion, then I retire to my own quarters.
Q: does Bertran meet me later? NO Q: Does my father decide to marry me off? YES Q: Does Mical visit? YES
There is a knocking on my door, “Enter” I reply without really glancing up. It is my brother, Mical.
“My beloved sister. I feel compelled to tell you. Our father just sent two birds to North Hold, accepting Baron Almuster’s offer for your hand. He is worried that your, recklessness, might cost your life. He has decided a life in court is best for you.”
“Hmph,” I snort, then glare at my brother, “And this is your doing, is it not? Almuster? Almuster! Truly? And to what end? How does that…how does that help us at all? The birds are already sent?” I stammer, enraged.
Mical nods, “It is done.”
My nostrils flare in anger, “Leave me. Now!” I command. He holds up his hands and retreats from my room. I immediately begin packing my things, with my back thrown over my shoulder, I head up to Eveline’s room and knock on the door.
Q: Does Eveline answer? NO Q: Is she in her room? YES Q: Alone? YES
There is silence, so I knock even louder. “What? What?” she eventually replies, opening the door.
“Pack your things. We are leaving, at once,” I tell her.
“Why?” Eveline asks in confusion.
“Because I am to be wed to a…to a man I don’t even know,” I reply.
“What? I thought your father said it was for you to decide?” Eveline suggests, confused.
“As did I,” I start packing her things for her. “Dress quickly. We are leaving now.”
Q: Does she agree to come? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Alright then, let’s go,” she agrees, quickly dressing. Soon we are out in the courtyard at the stables.
“Which ones are they?” I wonder as I look for my mules
Q: Is a stable hand awake? YES
“Who’s there…forgive me, my lady,” the stable hand stammers on seeing us.
“My mules, Rabbit and Hare. Bring them and help saddle them,” I command.
Q: Does he obey? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Yes, my lady,” he stammers and immediately sees to the task. Soon, we are heading toward the gate with our loaded mules.
The sergeant on watch stops us, and bows, “Lady Yseldra, going someplace?”
-Deception 19-
“Yes, my servant and I have urgent business in Faithstone and must depart immediately,” I reply.
He blinks in confusion, “Of course, my lady. Forgive my curiosity.” He signals the gate opened, and soon, Eveline and I are on the road.
-Night City encounter-none-
The streets are deserted. I rarely pass through town this late, but we soon reach the city’s gate, and another sergeant halts us. “Gate doesn’t open at night, he warns.”
“I am Lady Yseldra Faust. Open the gate,” I command.
-Intimidation 20-
“Please forgive me, my lady,” the sergeant bows, then orders the gate raised. I nod and thank him, then Eveline and I pass out into the wilds. We take the road north, towards Honeyfold.
-Encounter-herdsmen with animals- Q: Women? YES
Along the road, we pass by a group of sheep and their herdsmen slumbering in a field. The watch dogs start to bark at our approach, but I wave them on. Then I stop for moment, “Are there women among you?” I call out.
“Yes,” a woman’s voice replies.
-Persuasion 9-
Eveline and I approach and I look the shepherdess up and down, “Can we trade clothes?” I ask, “And with her as well.” I nod towards another shepherdess.”
Q: Do they recognize me? NO
The women laugh, “And why would you want to do that? Are you a wanted criminal or something?”
I pull ten gold crowns from my purse, “Switch clothing, sell these if you want. Please.” I ask.
-Persuasion 23-
“Of course!” the second shepherdess replies, eyes lighting up.
The four of us go behind some trees and exchange clothing. I give them the coin, and soon Eveline and I are back on the road once more.
“I liked that outfit,” Eveline laments. I nod agreement.
-Encounter-Hamlet-
We bypass the village of Honeyfold, and continue on towards Meadcross. Passing by a small hamlet, we head east of Meadcross and set camp in some pasture between cultivated fields.
“Where are we going?” Eveline asks at last.
“North, generally. We’ll cross to Westhold tomorrow. After we get some rest. Then…east towards Kiddimir,” I reply.
“To what end?” Eveline asks.
“Freedom,” I reply.
Q: Does she try to talk me out of it? NO
“Freedom…that’s a good thing,” Eveline acknowledges.
We set up a tent, I place my wards, let the mules graze, and crawl inside. On my bedroll, my companion and cat next to me, I start to sob, while my friend gently strokes my hair.
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